Saturday, November 04, 2006

On November 1, 2006, the PS22 Chorus received a visit from the Cuban super-star, Lena! Lena was nominated for Best New Artist, and her beautiful song (duet with Latin music sensation, Alejandro Sanz), "Tu Corazon", was also nominated for the Song of the Year at this year's Latin Grammies. She sang a solo version of her Latin Chart-topping mega-hit for us and we were all, needless to say, blown away!! Then she listened to the chorus, and Mariah & Justin sing a solo piano version of Justin & Mr. B's original song, "Bethlehem". She was extremely moved by the passion the kids put into their singing and, of course, by their extreme talent! See for yourself...

An autographed copy of her self-titled debut CD!Lena with some aspiring song-writers of the PS22 ChorusLena surrounded by a whole bunch of altos!Lena surrounded by a whole bunch of sopranos!Lena with Mr. B

5 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Lena is a fabulous singer!!!I wish she came to visit us again, she is very nice and pretty.No wonder she was a nominee!!!Her voice feels like ur in heaven!!!I wish i could sing like her, but i already have a beautiful voice.FROM JULIANA.

Agreed! Lena is phenomenal! But like you say, you're phenomenal too! You just keep singing like Juliana and you'll do fine!!! I LOVED your "A Moment Like This" performance for the Talent Show! You have an INCREDIBLE voice! The chorus could never sound as good as it does without kids like you in it!!! (You guys sounded so good on "Dragon" today!!)

But, yeah, I hope Lena comes back too.... I know she absolutely adored you guys!!

Tori Amos

"They were so good! Their arrangements -- their sound -- it was so good.... It was...... disarming. It means so much that they took it and made it their own."-- Tori Amos after a private performance by the PS22 Chorusof her songs at the Sony Atrium in N.Y.C.

Common

"I feel honored to perform with PS22. The energy brought me up to a natural high on music and art, and just the spirits of you all. You all are so exciting to perform with..... I'm gonna remember this day forever."--hip hop legendCommonon performing with the PS22 Chorus at the National Tree Lighting 2009 for President Obama

David Cook

"Oh my God! It's ridiculous... It is incredible how good you guys are!!"-- David Cook, American Idol winner, after singing with PS22 Chorus!

Bonnie Hunt

Innocence Mission

"What a beautiful, beautiful, joyful version. It is a huge improvement on the original. The children brought tears to my eyes with their glorious singing and smiles. I so love the energy of this performance, the arrangement, the harmonies, everything."-- Karen PerisofThe Innocence Missionin apersonal message to the PS22 Chorusafter seeing the kids' video of the song "There" from their album, GLOW

Tribute WTC

Wikipedia

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

IMPROVS

Improvising is a skill that really demands great natural musical ability, particularly to do it at 9 or 10 years old! All of the following songs were being created and recorded as you hear them here (with some minor post-editing). PS22 Chorus member JUSTIN, with occasional super-special guests including legendary PS22 Chorus Alumni CLIVE, DEON, BEN, ADIZA, KARIMA, BRI-AH, & AMANDA D., demonstrates the technique brilliantly.

Stevie Nicks

B.J. Novak

"My God! We watch you all the time at work, at The Office, all the actors, all the writers... You guys are amazing! I swear to you, you're an inspiration, keep it up!"-- B.J. Novak, star of The Office, raves about the PS22 Chorusat The Webby Awards!

Sinead O'Connor

"Most beautiful, joyous thing I seen apart from me own children ." -- Sinead O'Connorafter seeing the PS22 Chorus video of her song "Jackie!" PS22 was then invited to be the opening act for her concert at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.

Passion Pit

"These kids made the record what we had been dreaming it to be, as they are integral parts of three songs.... It felt so unbelievable to have the exact sound that I wanted coming through the headphones...."-- Michael Angelakosof Passion Pit on recording with the PS22 Chorus

Nancy Pelosi

"...You indeed, as you sing, 'rule the world!'"--Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosiafter hearing the chorus sing at the Capitol